LIFESCI 2H03 Lecture Notes - Atacama Desert, Southern Ocean, Endolith
11 Jun 2013
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What are the conditions needed for life temperature: 0oc 50oc. Optimal range where we see the greatest abundance of organisms. Zone of physiological stress: organisms are less abundant, it is much harder to remain viable. Zone of intolerance: no organisms, lower limit of tolerance. Does not take into account the biodiversity. Phylogenetic tree of life length of branches represents genetic distance between species. 12 month droughts, yet there are species of frogs that are adapted to this environment due to physiological tolerance to these conditions. Yet there are bugs that thrive in this environment. Water temp: -2oc fish live in antarctic ocean tolerant to these low temperatures. What exactly is an extreme environment liquid water: absolute requirement of life on earth life requires: energy, through a flow of electrons based on redox chemistry redox chemistry: used to control energy flow. All the principles of organic chemistry must apply. An organisms that thrives in an extreme environment.
